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13,429 ft · Sierra Nevada, California

Mount Lamarck

Mount Lamarck is a 13,429 ft peak in the Sierra Nevada, California. The standard route is the Lamarck Col Route: 11 mi, 4,155 ft of gain, Class 1.

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Mount Lamarck in the Sierra Nevada, California

Photo: Jonathan Fox, CC BY-SA 2.0

Mount Lamarck at a glance

  • Elevation13,429 ft4,093 m
  • RouteLamarck Col RouteClass 1
  • Distance11 mi4,155 ft gain
  • Time8 – 10 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSierra NevadaCalifornia

Climbing the Lamarck Col Route

From Bishop, drive Highway 168 west about 18 miles, turn onto North Lake Road, and park in the hiker lot near the pack station, then walk the road to the trailhead in North Lake Campground. Follow the Lamarck Lakes Trail to the creek crossing between the lower and upper lakes, then take the unsigned use trail up a ridge and across sandy benches toward Lamarck Col. A steep snowfield often lingers just below the col. From there, climb easy talus north to the broad summit plateau, rated Class 1 by the SPS with some boulder hopping. Start early to beat the afternoon storms.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (35–55 L)
  • Hiking Boots
  • Water
  • Offline Maps
  • Headlamp
  • Satellite Communicator
  • Whistle
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun Hat
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Buff
  • Midweight Gloves
  • Trekking Poles
  • GPS Device
  • Power Bank
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Emergency Bivy

What to watch for

  • Snow near summit
  • High altitude
  • Rapid weather shifts
  • Loose rock

Quests with Mount Lamarck

Peaks near Mount Lamarck

  1. North Palisade

    North Palisade

    14,248 ft · 11.1 mi away

  2. Mount Sill

    Mount Sill

    14,159 ft · 11.5 mi away

  3. Middle Palisade

    Middle Palisade

    14,012 ft · 14.1 mi away

  4. Split Mountain

    Split Mountain

    14,064 ft · 18.2 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Lamarck?

Mount Lamarck is 13,429 feet (4,093 m) tall. It is in the Sierra Nevada, California.

How hard is it to hike Mount Lamarck?

The Lamarck Col Route is Class 1, which means hiking on a trail. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 11 miles with 4,155 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Mount Lamarck?

Most people take 8 – 10 hours round trip on the Lamarck Col Route, covering 11 miles with 4,155 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Mount Lamarck?

The Lamarck Col Route needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 11 miles with 4,155 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.

Will you get altitude sickness on Mount Lamarck?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Mount Lamarck reaches 13,429 feet. Spend a night or two at elevation first, drink plenty of water and turn back if a headache, nausea or dizziness gets worse.

When is the best time to hike Mount Lamarck?

The usual hiking window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

Climb Mount Lamarck with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list

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